Mari Clare – Cheerleader

We have rhythm, heart and a whole lot of energy in Mari Clare's latest release, Cheerleader. It's infectious, catchy and bursting with feel-good energy, with hyperpop influences and sparkling production that make it almost impossible not to groove along. From the outset, there's a real sense of fun running through the track, bringing a little burst of sunshine into your day and reminding us that sometimes music doesn't need to be complicated to make you feel something. It just needs to make you smile, and Cheerleader does exactly that.

The pre-chorus is particularly catchy, with the repetition of "left, right, left, right" almost feeling like a set of instructions on how to groove along to the track. It's one of those hooks that gets lodged in your brain before you've even realised it's happened, and I can imagine plenty of listeners finding themselves chanting along before the chorus has even arrived. The positivity of the lyrics is overwhelming in the best possible way, encouraging us to embrace ourselves, celebrate what makes us different and remember that nobody else gets to determine our worth. In a world that can sometimes feel overwhelmingly negative, there's something rather refreshing about a song that simply wants us to spread a little more love.

It's the perfect soundtrack for kids and adults alike, whether that's the school run, folding laundry or a late-night drive. It's guaranteed to give you a little mood boost and make you feel like you can conquer absolutely anything. There's a lovely sense of inclusivity to the track, too, with its message reminding us that you don't need to fit into somebody else's idea of what you should be. If you've got rhythm and you've got heart, you've already got everything you need.

The vocals are pitch-perfect, with a stylistic use of autotune that really leans into the sugary pop aesthetic. Everything about the track feels sparkly and clean, from the vocal performance right down to the tiniest production details. The counter-melodies layered throughout the chorus and pre-chorus are particularly satisfying, complementing one another beautifully and feeling as though they were always intended to be two parts of the same puzzle. There's a lovely attention to the way these melodic ideas interact, giving the arrangement extra depth without sacrificing that bright, accessible pop sound.

The production by Sebastian Rupio deserves a special mention here, too. It's masterfully crafted and brilliantly executed, with so much attention to detail that every element can be clearly heard working in tandem. Nothing feels lost or buried in the mix, and there's a real sense of polish throughout. It's a great example of how a carefully constructed production can elevate a relatively simple, feel-good pop concept into something genuinely infectious.

Cheerleader is a vibrant reminder that music can be a little bit of escapism, a little bit of encouragement and a whole lot of fun. Mari Clare has delivered a sugary-sweet pop anthem with a message that feels particularly important right now: less hate, more love, and never let anyone make you feel like you're worth any less. So, put your hands up, find your rhythm and give yourself a little cheer. We could all do with a bit more of that.